Monday, February 20, 2017

“You need so many volunteers to make it work efficiently”

“It’s a wonderful service, and the meal is not the key point of it,” says Bill Wright, volunteer coordinator of the Medway route of Tri-Valley, Inc.’s Meals on Wheels program, which is currently in need of volunteer drivers. Tri-Valley’s local Meals on Wheels program operates out of the basement of the Franklin Federated Church, with volunteers overseen by Laura Newton. In addition to Wright’s Medway route, the location coordinates meals for another Medway route, three Franklin routes and two Bellingham routes.

When Wright moved to Massachusetts from Illinois 25 years ago, he was looking for a way to give back to the community. In his home state, he had watched and accompanied his mother when she delivered Meals on Wheels.

“It’s somebody to stop at their house, smile, say ‘how are you today?’ Just check in on somebody to say hello to somebody who’s not getting out of their house. To engage in a conversation with somebody, no matter who it may be, because it’s their lifeline to society.”

These meals, says Wright, are delivered to elders and people with disabilities who live in private homes or even in senior housing."

"Tri-Valley’s Nutrition Program needs volunteer drivers to deliver Meals onWheels to homebound elders in your local community or to help pack and servemeals at area Dining Centers. All volunteers receive training and drivers areeligible for travel reimbursement at the rate of 50 cents per mile. Anyone who can give as little as two hours per week of their time to help is encouraged to call the Nutrition Program at 1-800-286-6640 or 508-949-6640."